- About Sarah Edwards
Thirty years of making technology work for businesses.
I'm a tech and design VA based in North Kent. I work with small businesses across the UK, the US and Canada on the systems, automations, websites and design that hold everything together. Most of my clients come through recommendations, which I think says more than most things I could write here.
30+
years in tech,
design and systems
UK
based, working
internationally
NHS
8-years digital comms
PwC
Global web
manager
- How I'd describe myself
In three words.
01
Experienced
Thirty years across IT, systems, web design and digital. From corporate design and global website management at PwC, to leading a full rebrand and digital build for a large NHS Trust, to working alongside small businesses on websites, systems, courses and everything in between.
02
Dedicated
I don't just work for my clients, I work with them. I become part of the business, learn how it ticks, and treat it with the same care I'd give my own. The people I work with tend to stay, and I think that's why.
03
Creative
The technical and the creative have always sat together for me. I'm good at taking an idea, however half-formed, and making it a reality. Whether that's a brand, a course, a system or a website, I can usually see what it needs to become and work out how to get there.
- How I got here
The long version.
IT support, training and an obsession with the internet
I started out in admin, moved quickly into IT support and training at PwC, and worked hard over several years to become global web manager. The internet was dial-up, websites were basically digital business cards, and I was completely hooked from day one.
A few highlights: building a website entirely in Latvian (not recommended), and producing an interactive DVD distributed internationally for PwC's legal clients.
PwC eventually dissolved the global web team in favour of regional ones. I swore that day I'd never work for a large corporate again, and I haven't.Freelance, then eight years with the NHS
I went freelance around 2002, and a three-month NHS contract arrived that stayed for eight years. We rebranded a large trust, built a brand new PFI hospital website with interactive walkthroughs, and created a staff intranet from scratch.
I still remember working through spreadsheets of staff contact details, organising and cleaning the data. Funnily enough I was doing something very similar recently for a client's mailing list. Some things don't change.
Swimming, art and running a franchise
I took a step back to focus on my family, trained as a swimming teacher, and ran an art class franchise. Between the two I managed to work with people aged 0 to 99, which is quite the range.
Both taught me things that still matter: how to read a room, how to adjust when something isn't landing, and how to run a business rather than just work in one.
Covid, a fresh start, and finding the right work
Covid closed both businesses overnight. I started working as a VA and it quickly became clear that what I was doing went well beyond admin. Clients needed systems, courses, tech sorting out. It turned out that's exactly what I'm good at.
Every client since has been a small business, an independent coach, an educator, a healthcare provider. People building something of their own. I find that much more interesting anyway.
I don't do 9 to 5. My best work often happens in the evenings. It suits my clients, and it suits me.- Outside of work
The rest of the picture.
I'm a mum of two teenagers, based in North Kent. I still teach swimming part-time, which I genuinely love. It plays to the same strengths that make me good at the tech work: organisation, communication, and working out how someone learns and adjusting accordingly.
When I'm not working I'm usually making a mess with something creative. Drawing, painting, sewing, wire work, clay. Digital illustration in Adobe Illustrator and Procreate is a particular favourite — it sits right at the intersection of tech and art, which is pretty much where I've always lived.
My husband is just as tech-obsessed as I am. We have two dogs who provide a fairly constant source of entertainment, and electric cars are the current family obsession.
North Kent based
Working with clients across the UK, US and Canada from home in the South East.
Flexible hours
Early starts, afternoon breaks, evening calls. What matters is the work getting done properly.
Being creative
Digital illustration, painting, design. The creative work informs how I approach the systems work.
Swimming teacher
Still teaching part-time. The patience and adaptability it requires transfers directly to client work.
The skydiving photo: I jumped twice to mark turning 40, loved every second of it, and then decided to keep my feet firmly on the ground for the sake of my family's nerves. Some experiences are good to have done rather than to keep doing.
- Working with me
What to expect.
I work with a small number of clients at any one time, which keeps the work focused and the relationships straightforward. Most people come through recommendations, which means there's usually a degree of fit before we even speak.
A free call is the best place to start. If I'm not the right fit, I'll say so - and I can usually point you towards someone who is.
Small client list, by design
I work with a handful of clients at a time. It means you get proper attention, not a number in a queue.
Mostly referral-based
The majority of new clients come through recommendations from existing ones. I think that's the most honest signal of how the work goes.
Honest if it's not the right fit
If what you need isn't something I do well, I'll tell you — and point you somewhere useful instead.
Documentation as standard
Whatever I build gets documented clearly. You'll know how it works, not just that it works.
- Client testimonials
What clients say
"We’ve been using Sarah's Virtual Marketing Assistant services for the past six months, and the results have been exceptional. Sarah combines deep knowledge of both marketing and technology - a rare and powerful combination that allows her to tackle any brief quickly and effectively."
Kim Hoang
First Enterprice
I've had three one-on-one sessions with Sarah, and each time, she has boosted my confidence in using Cliniko and Brevo. She is incredibly patient and extremely knowledgeable, making every session both enjoyable and productive.
Selina Shrimpton
Align Osteopathy
- Get in touch
The best place to start is a conversation.
A free call costs nothing and usually surfaces at least one useful thing, whatever you decide afterwards. If we're a good fit, we'll work out the next steps. If not, I'll point you somewhere better.
No obligation. Just a straightforward conversation.
Insurance provided through PolicyBee • ICO Reference Number: ZB615247
© 2026 Sarah Edwards and Beyond the Mountains. Copying is said to be the highest form of flattery, however, I would be grateful if you could resist the urge. Content and designs take a lot of time and energy to produce, and I kindly request you be honest and authentic. Be you, not me! 💛